“Instead of worrying about people making grass verges look nicer maybe the council should think about making it city-wide to fine people to park on them.”

A council spokeswoman said alterations allowed by law include adding flowerbeds or small shrubs.

However, paving over green spaces or adding large obstructions will not be permitted.

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The local authority said the aim is to cover the cost of its staff checking sites and administering licences, and no licence was needed for people who wanted to mow the verge between its regular trims.

'Danger to traffic'

Exact details are currently being drafted but The Argus understands if work is carried out without a licence then the householder could be ordered to restore it back to a verge.

Paul Skelly, of Brighton and Hove City In Bloom, said: “The council will need to ensure the proposed cultivation is not a danger to traffic.

“I doubt if there will be many such applications but I would want to be assured that if someone planted a few bulbs under a tree outside their house they would not be charged £30.”

Conservative councillor Ken Norman, who is a judge for the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, said: “I can see a lot of problems with it, not least when they come round to mow the verges.”

Talking point: To what extent should communities pay to plant verges, or should it be seen as community spirited? Share your views by commenting below or write to the letters editor or email letters@theargus.co.uk.

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Comments (15)

Just throw 'seed bombs' on the grass and some will germinate and if they are 'wild' flower seeds they will help the bees and will look great. Flowers and no fee.

Just throw 'seed bombs' on the grass and some will germinate and if they are 'wild' flower seeds they will help the bees and will look great. Flowers and no fee.olebut

Just throw 'seed bombs' on the grass and some will germinate and if they are 'wild' flower seeds they will help the bees and will look great. Flowers and no fee.

Score: 0

leobrighton says...12:21pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Best leave well alone. One persons idea of an improvement could be another persons eyesore.

Best leave well alone. One persons idea of an improvement could be another persons eyesore.leobrighton

Best leave well alone. One persons idea of an improvement could be another persons eyesore.

Score: 0

NickBtn says...12:22pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Surely the cost of administering this mad rule will be more than it can ever bring in? Even someones time to set up this scheme must run into days of work. Abandon now - before more money is wasted

Surely the cost of administering this mad rule will be more than it can ever bring in? Even someones time to set up this scheme must run into days of work. Abandon now - before more money is wastedNickBtn

Surely the cost of administering this mad rule will be more than it can ever bring in? Even someones time to set up this scheme must run into days of work. Abandon now - before more money is wasted

Score: 0

BrunswickSquare says...12:23pm Wed 23 Jan 13

The verges in Surrey where I used to live were full of daffodils - a lovely sight and nothing to do with the Council either. I would have thought that this sort of thing would be just what we needed. The council seems to thing they have a duty of care everywhere - yet they still plant crocuses / daffodils in the parks. what's the difference?

The verges in Surrey where I used to live were full of daffodils - a lovely sight and nothing to do with the Council either. I would have thought that this sort of thing would be just what we needed. The council seems to thing they have a duty of care everywhere - yet they still plant crocuses / daffodils in the parks. what's the difference?BrunswickSquare

The verges in Surrey where I used to live were full of daffodils - a lovely sight and nothing to do with the Council either. I would have thought that this sort of thing would be just what we needed. The council seems to thing they have a duty of care everywhere - yet they still plant crocuses / daffodils in the parks. what's the difference?

Score: 0

Alison Smith says...12:37pm Wed 23 Jan 13

The Greens are probably worried that daffodils will ruin the grassy areas where the various protesters want to pitch their tents.

The Greens are probably worried that daffodils will ruin the grassy areas where the various protesters want to pitch their tents.Alison Smith

The Greens are probably worried that daffodils will ruin the grassy areas where the various protesters want to pitch their tents.

Score: 0

risingphoenix says...12:48pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Sod the council... 'Guerilla gardening' is the way to go!

Sod the council...
'Guerilla gardening' is the way to go!risingphoenix

Sod the council... 'Guerilla gardening' is the way to go!

Score: 0

pwlr1966 says...12:48pm Wed 23 Jan 13

"the local authority says it has a duty to ensure the areas are safe for everyone." Then why do they leave the weeds to grow four foot high all over the cracks in the pavement, this has to be more dangerous than bulb planting.

"the local authority says it has a duty to ensure the areas are safe for everyone."
Then why do they leave the weeds to grow four foot high all over the cracks in the pavement, this has to be more dangerous than bulb planting.pwlr1966

"the local authority says it has a duty to ensure the areas are safe for everyone." Then why do they leave the weeds to grow four foot high all over the cracks in the pavement, this has to be more dangerous than bulb planting.

Score: 0

Can this be says...12:52pm Wed 23 Jan 13

More silly nonsense from our green Greens who are again discouraging people wanting to improve the area where they live. "Just do it" springs to mind. "leobrighton" makes a fair point, but I guess that can be overcome.

More silly nonsense from our green Greens who are again discouraging people wanting to improve the area where they live. "Just do it" springs to mind.
"leobrighton" makes a fair point, but I guess that can be overcome.Can this be

More silly nonsense from our green Greens who are again discouraging people wanting to improve the area where they live. "Just do it" springs to mind. "leobrighton" makes a fair point, but I guess that can be overcome.

Score: 0

Alan G Skinner says...12:59pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Vile money grabbing parasites.

Vile money grabbing parasites.Alan G Skinner

Vile money grabbing parasites.

Score: 0

BornInBrighton1968 says...1:47pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Every day and every way, the people of Brighton despise the incompetent Green council more and more....

Every day and every way, the people of Brighton despise the incompetent Green council more and more....BornInBrighton1968

Every day and every way, the people of Brighton despise the incompetent Green council more and more....

Score: 0

davenachfan says...2:28pm Wed 23 Jan 13

I used to work in Eastbourne and nearly all the roundabouts there had wonderful displays of spring flowers. Locally, the roundabouts near the Hangleton Interchange are covered in slabs of concrete. I would support any plans to plant bulbs or sow wild flowers on roundabouts, but the council should not be charging £30. They should be pleased that local residents care about their environment.

I used to work in Eastbourne and nearly all the roundabouts there had wonderful displays of spring flowers.
Locally, the roundabouts near the Hangleton Interchange are covered in slabs of concrete. I would support any plans to plant bulbs or sow wild flowers on roundabouts, but the council should not be charging £30. They should be pleased that local residents care about their environment.davenachfan

I used to work in Eastbourne and nearly all the roundabouts there had wonderful displays of spring flowers. Locally, the roundabouts near the Hangleton Interchange are covered in slabs of concrete. I would support any plans to plant bulbs or sow wild flowers on roundabouts, but the council should not be charging £30. They should be pleased that local residents care about their environment.

Score: 0

mimseycal says...3:54pm Wed 23 Jan 13

They'll mpay for sheep to graze but charge for planting a bulb ... Ah well ... a case of real priorities I suppose. I am so glad I signed the No confidence in the Greens petition.

They'll mpay for sheep to graze but charge for planting a bulb ... Ah well ... a case of real priorities I suppose. I am so glad I signed the No confidence in the Greens petition.mimseycal

They'll mpay for sheep to graze but charge for planting a bulb ... Ah well ... a case of real priorities I suppose. I am so glad I signed the No confidence in the Greens petition.

Score: 0

bogs says...6:51pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Are they worried about Uphill Gardners?

Are they worried about Uphill Gardners?bogs

Are they worried about Uphill Gardners?

Score: 0

Idontbelieveit1948 says...8:24pm Wed 23 Jan 13

We are told "The local authority said the aim is to cover the cost of its staff checking sites and administering licences, and no licence was needed for people who wanted to mow the verge between its regular trims." What regular trims, there's nothing regular about the trims our verges get. If I didn't mow our verge it wouldn't get cut more than twice a year, The Greens are a money grabbing disgrace.

We are told "The local authority said the aim is to cover the cost of its staff checking sites and administering licences, and no licence was needed for people who wanted to mow the verge between its regular trims."
What regular trims, there's nothing regular about the trims our verges get. If I didn't mow our verge it wouldn't get cut more than twice a year,
The Greens are a money grabbing disgrace.Idontbelieveit1948

We are told "The local authority said the aim is to cover the cost of its staff checking sites and administering licences, and no licence was needed for people who wanted to mow the verge between its regular trims." What regular trims, there's nothing regular about the trims our verges get. If I didn't mow our verge it wouldn't get cut more than twice a year, The Greens are a money grabbing disgrace.

Score: 0

shining star says...4:32pm Sat 16 Feb 13

I can remember when there were lovely gardens showing spring and summer flower displays and grass, kept in tip top condition, small fencing prevented people walking on them and it was a lovely sight on the approach to the seafront. Now, it is open for everyone to trample on, dogs to mess over and an absolute eyesore. It has turned into a mud bath.

I can remember when there were lovely gardens showing spring and summer flower displays and grass, kept in tip top condition, small fencing prevented people walking on them and it was a lovely sight on the approach to the seafront. Now, it is open for everyone to trample on, dogs to mess over and an absolute eyesore. It has turned into a mud bath.shining star

I can remember when there were lovely gardens showing spring and summer flower displays and grass, kept in tip top condition, small fencing prevented people walking on them and it was a lovely sight on the approach to the seafront. Now, it is open for everyone to trample on, dogs to mess over and an absolute eyesore. It has turned into a mud bath.

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